July 02, 2010

Grilled Mexican Hot Dogs

Directions:
Prepare grill. Lightly oil a grilling pan and arrange the peppers and onions in a single layer. Wrap the hot dogs in bacon. Secure with toothpicks if needed. Place on grill. Grill the hot dogs until the bacon is fully cooked. Grill the onions and peppers until softened flipping occasionally. Place the hot dogs in buns or rolls and top with toppings.

My thoughts:

As soon as I heard about Mexican hot dogs (also called Tijuana hot dogs or Sonoran hot dogs_ I knew I had to make them. I read dozens of menus and reviews of hot dog joints online and anything else I could find out about these dogs. The base is always a hot dog wrapped in bacon and the toppings can vary (no ketchup, please!) from avocado to spicy mayo to guacamole to pickles to cheese to raw onions to pineapple salsas to pickled pepper and are served either on a hot dog bun or a bolillo.

The ones that appealed me the the most were the spicier versions. I thought the spice of the peppers would help cut the heaviness of the bacon wrapped hot dog. Since I love the smoky flavor that grilling gives jalapenos, I decided to grill the peppers along side the dogs. I grilled the onion too which not only made it easier to keep on the bun than raw but it added a sweet-smoky flavor that went so well with the bacon. YUM!

I really hate to rain on your parade. Honestly - I do. But the "bun" (which is more of a super soft and slightly... sweet?... roll) is what makes the sonoran dog so very special. Sure, a hotdog wrapped in bacon is genius and a terribly wonderful way to treat yourself, but without the roll.. oh gosh. I've had one sonoran dog and would go back for just a truckload of those specially made rolls.

X thanks for you input! It isn't obvious from the picture but I did use sweet, soft rolls. However, many of my readers do not live where they might be able to find authentic rolls so I didn't want to leave them out.

You are a genius! Why have I never thought to make these at home? I am always soooo tempted to buy them whenever I am in downtown la but since they are always cooked on a cookie sheet over a flaming garbage can in the gutter I rarely indulge. (Usually the only time I brave it is after a show when I've had a few drinks and am ravenous) Posting this recipe will likely save me from food poisoning so I am so grateful. I really enjoying all of the hot dog recipes! You have totally inspired me to have a party where everyone brings their favorite dog or topping and we all share. It will be a Hot Diggity Do!